Here’s a 100% free "tip of the day" that just came to mind again as I was filing some paperwork.

Many people who read this blog may be in or getting into relationships with lovely ladies from the Philippines.  That’s what happened to me, and I’m really happy on this Thanksgiving Day to give tanks for that … the best thing that has happened to me in the past 30 years, that’s for sure.

If your relationship progresses toward eventual marriage and travel to the US there’s one little thing I would like to bring up now.

If you and your intended take the path of a K1 Fiancee’ visa and then get marrie din the US, or if you take the alternative route of marrying in the Philippines and traveling to the US on a K3 or CR1 visa, there will be waiting time involved.  Oh will there be waiting time…

While the clock is ticking and there is nothing you can do to speed up the process, think of this.

The single most important document you new Filipina partner is going to have to produce is her birth certificate.  You (even she) may be surprised at the actual wording of the names on that certificate.  She may well have an extra "Maria" tucked in at the beginning of her name which she has never used.  Or the spelling of one or more names may be wrong.  Whatever the issues?

FIX THEM NOW  Once she becomes your wife and/or goes to the US, every single official document is going to reflect the name on that birth certificate, love it or hate it.  The Department of Homeland Security, state governments, Social Security, et al will not accept anything else. 

Of course after citizenship she could go to court and legally change her name, but nothing will erase all those records on official documents that will endure even after both of you pass on.

About 90% of the Filipino women I have talked with on this issue do not care for the way their name is on the birth certificate.  The only way to keep from being "tagged" that way for life is to change/correct the birth certificate before the rest of the paper chase begins.

I welcome comments, constructive criticisms, disagreements, questions or just plain talk.  You can leave a comment to this article or email me direct at: davestarr (at) gmail (dot) com or call me on 1-719-423-8872. I’m usually on Yahoo Messenger (davestarr) and will be happy to chat there.  If you liked this article, please subscribe to my RSS feed so you get all my news and views.

Popularity: 1% [?]